Bring The Noise And Start Hearing It: Beyond the ABCs with Holly Blais (Part 1)

Send us Fan Mail ABA on Tap is proud to brew with Dr. Holly Blais (Part 1 of 2): A worksheet hits the desk, a student melts down, and the room labels it “escape behavior.” The Tap doesn't buy that shortcut, and neither does Dr. Holly Blais. Holly  brings a rare mix of school-based behavior analysis, special education, systems consulting, and lived experience with dyslexia to ask a harder question: what are we missing when we stop at the three-term contingency and call it the full story? ABA on Tap and Holly trace her path from being the kid who felt misunderstood and judged as lazy to becoming a paraprofessional, special educator, and BCBA who now pushes for values-driven, transdisciplinary work in schools. Along the way, she breaks down why “context” is more than a classroom label. It includes health, stress, learning history, identity, peer dynamics, instructional design, and the constant trade-offs educators face. Her art history background becomes a powerful metaphor: like a painting, behavior makes no sense if you only describe what you see without analyzing the forces that shaped it. We also get into systems change and social impact, including her focus on prejudicial bullying and why purely collecting ABC data can miss development, language, social status, and cultural messaging. Then we tackle a tension many educators and clinicians feel: acceptance and neurodiversity affirming practice still needs challenge. Dr. Blais defines “push” using zones of proximal development plus ACT and RFT, aiming for growth without chronic stress, restraint-heavy practices, or blind compliance. Subscribe for part two, share this with a school-based BCBA or teacher, and if this hits a nerve, leave a review and tell us: where do you see “context” getting ignored most in student behavior support? Tune In, Drink Up, and ALWAYS ANALYZE RESPONSIBLY. Support the show 🔥 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform! 📢 Connect with Us: 🔗 Website: https://abaontap.com 🎧 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aba.on.tap.podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abaontap/ 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ABAonTap 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aba-on-tap 💡 Support the Show: ☕ Love what we do? Buy us a virtual drink! Support ABA on Tap 🎙️ Interested in sponsoring? Partner with us 🚀 Join the ABA on Tap Community! Stay updated on the latest episodes, live events, and exclusive content. 🎧 Analyze Responsibly & Keep the Conversation Going! 🍻